Tire type and condition may also affect braking
effectiveness.
–When replacing tires, install the specified
size of tires on all four wheels.
–
When installing a replacement tire, make sure
that it is the proper size and type as specified on
the tire and loading information label. (See
Wheels and Tiresin the9. Maintenance and
Schedulessection.)
–For detailed information, seeWheels and
tiresin the8. Do-it-yourselfsection.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Using system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady pres-
sure, but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will
operate to prevent the wheels from locking up.
Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may
result in increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in
forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and
does not indicate a malfunction. If the computer
senses a malfunction, it switches the ABS off
and illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then oper-
ates normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h). The speed varies according to
road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly
applies and releases hydraulic pressure. This
action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates that the
ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsa-
tion may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while driving.
Starting and driving5-89
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your ve-
hicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI recom-
mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL
SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. It is rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make
sure they are the proper size for the tires on
your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer’s instructions. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.
Loose end links of the tire chains must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fendersor underbody. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed, otherwise, your vehicle may be dam-
aged and/or vehicle handling and perfor-
mance may be adversely affected.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during the winter:
•A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows.
•A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
•A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
•Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
•Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very
cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard
to drive on. The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
•Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If ac-
celerating or downshifting too fast, the
drive wheels will lose even more traction.
•Allow more stopping distance under these
conditions. Braking should be started
sooner than on dry pavement.
•Allow greater following distances on slip-
pery roads.
•Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any sudden
steering maneuvers.
•Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle.
5-94Starting and driving
WARNING TRIANGLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Removing and refitting the warning
triangle
To remove:
1. Open the lift gate and lift the luggage
compartment floor upwards.2. To release warning triangle, push back the
retainers on the bracket.
3. Remove warning triangle
1from the
bracket.
To refit:
1. Place warning triangle
1back into the
bracket and push down to secure.
2. Fold down the luggage compartment floor.
3. Close the lift gate.
Setting up the warning triangle
1. Fold legs out to the side.
2. Fold side reflectors upwards to form a
triangle and lock them at the top using press
stud.
RUN-FLAT TIRES
With special run-flat tires, you can continue to
drive your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires. The affected tire
must not show any clearly visible damage.
You can recognise run-flat tires by the marking
which appears on the tire side wall. You will
find this marking next to the tire size designa-
tion, the load-bearing capacity and the speed
index.Run-flat tires may only be used in conjunction
with an activated tire pressure loss warning
system or tire pressure monitor.
Pressure loss warning message
If a pressure loss warning message appears in
the vehicle information display:
•Observe the instructions in the display
messages.
•Check the tire for damage.
•If driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the ve-
hicle is partially laden and approximately 20
miles (30 km) when the vehicle is fully laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving
distance possible depends upon:
•Vehicle speed.
•Road condition.
•Outside temperature.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving conditions/
maneuvers, or it can be increased through a
moderate style of driving.NIC2686
6-4In case of emergency
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
counted from the moment the tire pressure loss
warning appears in the vehicle information dis-
play.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of 50
MPH (80 km/h).
When replacing one or all tires, observe the
following specifications for your vehicle’s tires:
•Size
•Type
•Run-flat mark
If a tire has gone flat and cannot be replaced
with a run flat tire, a standard tire may be used
as a temporary measure. Make sure that you
use the proper size and type (summer or winter
tire).
WARNING
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, pot holes,
off road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
•You hear banging noises.
•The vehicle starts to shake.
•You see smoke and smell rubber.
•VDC is intervening constantly.
•There are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked with regard to their further
use. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. The faulty tire must be
replaced.
REMOVING AND FITTING WHEELS
NOTE
A spare wheel is not provided with your vehicle.
Blocking the wheels
WARNING
Make sure to block the appropriate wheel to
prevent the vehicle from moving, which may
cause personal injury.
Place suitable blocks
1in front of and behind
the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire
Ato
prevent the vehicle from moving when it is on
the jack.
MCE0001DZ
In case of emergency6-5
Tire and Loading Information label
1Seating capacity: The maximum number
of occupants that can be seated in the
vehicle.
2Vehicle load limit: SeeVehicle loading
informationin the10. Technical infor-
mationsection.
3Original size: The size of the tires origi-
nally installed on the vehicle at the fac-
tory.
4Cold tire pressure: Inflate the tires to
this pressure when the tires are cold.
Tires are considered COLD after the ve-
hicle has been parked for 3 or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km)
at moderate speeds. The recommended
cold tire inflation is set by the manufac-
turer to provide the best balance of tire
wear, vehicle handling, driveability, tire
noise, etc., up to the vehicle’s GVWR.
5Tire size — seeTire labelinglater in
this section.
6Spare tire size or compact spare tire
size (if so equipped).
SDI2703
8-28Do-it-yourself
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Checking tire pressure
1. Remove the valve stem cap from the tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge squarely onto the
valve stem. Do not press too hard or force
the valve stem sideways, or air will escape. If
the hissing sound of air escaping from the
tire is heard while checking the pressure,
reposition the gauge to eliminate this leak-
age.3. Remove the gauge.
4. Read the tire pressure on the gauge stem
and compare it to the specification shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label.
5. Add air to the tire as needed. If too much air
is added, press the core of the valve stem
briefly with the tip of the gauge stem to
release pressure. Recheck the pressure and
add or release air as needed.
6. Install the valve stem cap.
7. Check the pressure of all other tires, includ-
ing the spare.
Size Cold tire infla-
tion pressure
Front
original
tire235/50 R18 (2WD) 35 psi, 240kPa
235/50 R18
(4WD/AWD)35 psi, 240kPa
235/45 R19 (2WD 32 psi, 220kPa
Rear
original
tire235/50 R18 (2WD) 32 psi, 220kPa
235/50 R18
(4WD/AWD)35 psi, 240kPa
235/45 R19 (2WD 32 psi, 220kPa
Spare tire NONE
SDI1949Z
Do-it-yourself8-29
TIRE LABELING
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of the tire and
also provides the tire identification number
(TIN) for safety standard certification. The TIN
can be used to identify the tire in case of a
recall.
1Tire size (example: P215/60R16 94H)
1 P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for
passenger vehicles. (Not all tires have this
information.)
2 Three-digit number (215): This number
gives the width in millimeters of the tire
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
3 Two-digit number (60): This number,
known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire’s
ratio of height to width.
4 R: The “R” stands for radial.
5 Two-digit number (16): This number is the
wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6 Two- or three-digit number (94): This num-
ber is the tire’s load index. It is a mea-
surement of how much weight each tire
can support. You may not find this infor-
mation on all tires because it is not re-
quired by law.7 H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive
the vehicle faster than the tire speed rat-
ing.
SDI1575ZExampleSDI1606ZExample
8-30Do-it-yourself
2TIN (Tire Identification Number) for a
new tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX XXXX)
1 DOT: Abbreviation for the “Department of
Transportation”. The symbol can be placed
above, below or to the left or right of the
Tire Identification Number.
2 Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark
3 Two-digit code: Tire size
4 Three-digit code: Tire type code (Optional)
5 Four numbers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the num-
bers 3103 means the 31st week of 2003. If
these numbers are missing, then look on
the other sidewall of the tire.
3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-
coated fabric in the tire. Tire manufactur-
ers also must indicate the materials in the
tire, which include steel, nylon, polyester,
and others.
4Maximum permissible inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the tire. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible in-
flation pressure.
5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum load
in kilograms and pounds that can be
carried by the tire. When replacing the
tires on the vehicle, always use a tire that
has the same load rating as the factory
installed tire.
6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an
inner tube (“tube type”) or not (“tube-
less”).
7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the tire has
radial structure.
8Manufacturer or brand name”
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are defined
throughout this section, Intended Outboard
Sidewall is (1) the sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or bears manu-
facturer, brand and/or model name molding
that is higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) the
outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire
that has a particular side that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
•When changing or replacing tires, be sure
all four tires are of the same type (i.e, sum-
mer, all season or snow) and construction.
An INFINITI retailer may be able to help you
with information about tire type, size, speed
rating and availability.
•Replacement tires may have a lower speed
rating than the factory equipped tires, and
they may not match the potential maximum
vehicle speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
NDI1623Example
Do-it-yourself8-31